A few hours ago, Yahoo issued a new major update to Flickr for iOS. The update, quite remarkably, introduced live and customizable filters along with new camera and editing tools. As it turns out, it comes as a result of Yahoo's integration of key photo-editing technology from GhostBird.
If you'll recall, GhostBird was acquired by Yahoo last June to improve Flickr, particularly the popular photo-sharing service's official iOS app. GhostBird created the now-defunct iOS camera apps PhotoForge2 and KitCam, whose core editing features have just been incorporated into Flickr for iOS.
Consequently, as confirmed by TechCrunch, Yahoo has dropped Aviary as its photo-editing technology provider for the Flickr iOS app. Aviary had been providing the editing options in Flickr for iOS since the app's big 2.0 update last December. For now, though, Yahoo intends to keep Aviary for the Flickr website.
“Aviary is a great partner and we’re excited to continue working closely with them on Flickr for web,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch. “But with this iOS update, we’ve integrated technology and features from our recent acquisition of GhostBird Software.”
Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 5.1 or later, the GhostBird-integrated Flickr app for iOS is available now in the App Store for free.